A.J Wilkinson Ltd operated out of the Royal Staffordshire Pottery, where the well known designer Clarice Cliff had worked some years earlier. Clarice Cliff was the 2nd wife of the manager, Arthur Shorter.
ROYAL STAFFORDSHIRE POTTERY (A.J Wilkinson Ltd) - Gravy Boat
Made in England
Circa 1947+ (based on the backstamp design)
Pattern: Unknown - although LEDA is impressed on the underside, my wife believes this a reference to the shape, not this particular pattern.
Interesting gravy boat in that the ceramic craftspersonship is quite different to the usual smooth sides formed into a "boat shape" ... the ceramic of this gravy boat has leaf reliefs at the base of the handle and on top of the handle where the "Irish clover like" Green design has been placed by the decorator. The foot is also quite "intricate" and not just an oval shaped foot. The inside base of the gravy boat has what I can only describe as "ripples", it truly appears as though the boat was completely handcrafted and not moulded.
The decorative work uses bright, vibrant colouring and of course is hand created, not transferware. Brightly coloured "flowers of the garden" with one side's decoration being much more substantial than the opposite side. The top half of the body has been coloured that lovely "Olde World" Lime Green.
The gravy boat is finished with feathered Gold gilding around the sides (not the top) of the rim, including the spout.
BACKSTAMP
Here is a photograph of the backstamp on the underside ... definitely from the 1947+ era. Also note the LEDA to the side of the backstamp, oriented through 90 degrees and impressed not printed.
DIMENSIONS:
180mm (just over 7") length spout to handle x 80mm (just over 3") wide x 75mm (3") height, excluding the upturned handle.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
Clean
NO cracks
NO discolouration to the base Cream colouring nor the upper Lime Green.
NO discolouration or damage observed to the decorative artwork
NO significant wear or damage to the feathered Gold gilding, being around the side and not on top was a smart idea!
While cleaning (wet wash) I did notice just the very slightest of crazing around the lower front area. When dry I can see this crazing but it is not very obvious and certainly not discoloured. This seems to be the only area where this crazing has occurred. decorations
NO damage to the "fancy foot" area and nothing like fleabites for instance.
A very nice example of some late 1940's Royal Staffordshire tableware indeed
